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Industry Committee

Committee Objectives

1. Help members in lobbying with governmental authorities to resolve major obstacles and enhance the climate for economic progress and investment.

2. Work on the advancement and facilitation of industrial development and competitiveness at the fastest possible pace through: Removing the most critical impediments, introducing new ideas, and communicating opinions to decision makers.

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Committee Work Plan

As a group, we decided that our vision would remain unchanged. The vision is as follows:

Proactively take steps to progress the competitiveness of Egyptian industry and exports through continuous improvements in investment, business and the trade climate. (Zero duties, Zero barriers and billions of investment and exports).

In addition to improving the overall operating environment, we agreed to focus our efforts on four main project areas, with a particular emphasis on connecting with other organizations and organizing activities for members. We also agreed on the need to better reflect the interests of multi-industries in our work. To do this, we suggest that each area has specific representatives from different industries. The core areas and suggested leaders are listed below:

1. Duties especially Duties deformations, Leader Ramy Zaki, Procter & Gamble, Egypt
   Key work items include clearing duties deformations, an efficient drawback system and a smoother/faster importation cycle.



2. New Industry Law, Leaders Gawad Abaza, Cadbury Adams Egypt and Mohamed Talaat, Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie)
   Take a leading role in working with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to provide early input concerning the laws of interest to the community, including businesses and individuals. We are forming a new committee with the General Authority of Industry Development, specifically for this purpose.



3. Moving from Sales Tax to VAT, Leader Hasan Hegazi, Master Trading
   The government is planning to move from the Sales Tax system to VAT in the next 12 to 24 months. We need to be proactive in working with the government to reflect learning experiences from other countries we operate in, so as to ensure implementation is smooth and provides a “win” for all parties involved--including the end consumer.



4. Consumer Protection, Leader Mohamed Samir, Procter & Gamble Egypt
   Work with the Consumer Protection Agency to represent the interests of Industries, especially in the areas of Anti-Counterfeit activities and also the new advertising regulations planned for implementation later this year.



5. Connecting with other organizations and in AmCham Committees: Leaders Mustafa El Halwagy, The Egyptian Company for International Touristic Projects (Americana), and Adel Garas, Pepsi-Cola Egypt
   To be more effective as a committee we need to link up with other organizations and to coordinate our lobbying efforts. The key target organization is the Federation of Egyptian Industries. Others include EU, USAID, IMC, Ministry of Trade & Industry, General Authority for Industrial Development and other Chambers of Commerce. We will also work closely with other committees in the Chamber to move on key issues affecting Industry in order to have one aligned agenda. Such areas include:
   • Environment Law Compliance – Environment Committee
   • Labor Law – HR Committee
   • Advertising Guidelines – Marketing Committee
   • Standards – TRAC and Standards organization

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Contacts

Chairman: Adel Garas, Pepsi Cola Egypt General Manager, Pepsi-Cola Egypt
Co-Chair: Rajeev Chaba, Chairman and Managing Director, General Motors Egypt
Mostafa El Halwagy, The Egyptian Company for International Touristic Projects (Americana)

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